8 Amazing Isometric RPGs
- Thread starter Encaen
- Start date
I must admit, I'm surprised Planescape: Torment wasn't on the list. Usually it comes up whenever isometric RPGs are mentioned.
I just finished Icewind Dale last week, going to start Icewind Dale 2 soon. Lot of games on this list that I've either played and enjoyed or are on my to play pile.
I just finished Icewind Dale last week, going to start Icewind Dale 2 soon. Lot of games on this list that I've either played and enjoyed or are on my to play pile.
Gotta say, I'm disappointed that Baldur's Gate 2 and Planescape Torment didn't even get a mention. I get that chopping the list off at eight entries means that some great games are gonna get left out, but still. 
Wait...
No Planescape: Torment, Path of Exile, nor any of the Torchlight or Diablo games?
Not sure if I'm disappointed or glad. On the one hand, they represent some of the best and most well known examples of the genre. On the other hand, it's nice to see lesser known titles included in the list.
It's an interesting list. You certainly surprised me.
No Planescape: Torment, Path of Exile, nor any of the Torchlight or Diablo games?
Not sure if I'm disappointed or glad. On the one hand, they represent some of the best and most well known examples of the genre. On the other hand, it's nice to see lesser known titles included in the list.
It's an interesting list. You certainly surprised me.
It was developed by Black Isle which was itself a division of Interplay. So yeah, it was developed by Black Isle.canadamus_prime said:
I can understand not wanting to put more than one entry-per series on there (hence no Baldur's Gate II, Neverwinter Nights II, Icewind Dale II)
But I do think that Planescape Torment and Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magic Obscura should be on there. One could make an argument for KoToR being on the list, since it used a the same engine as neverwitner Nights-even reusing assets like the Umber Hulk.
But I do think that Planescape Torment and Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magic Obscura should be on there. One could make an argument for KoToR being on the list, since it used a the same engine as neverwitner Nights-even reusing assets like the Umber Hulk.
I love Neverwinter Nights a fair bit, in fact I'd be the first to say it's a must-play for any fan of the rpg genre... but an 'amazing campaign'? Really? The original NWN campaign was terrible. It had a mediocre story, boring characters, and way too much padding to be worthwhile. Hell, I can't even remember who the villain was and normally I'm great at this. Was there a villain? I remember Aribeth and that she turned on you, but my main motivation for remember her as a character was her inclusion in the much better Hordes of the Underdark expansion campaign. And really for developer content the best campaign in the franchise without question goes to Neverwinter Nights 2's Mask of the Betrayer. Now *that* was an amazing campaign.
Also I'd have included Baldur's Gate 2 in favor of the first game, just because it's generally agreed upon to be the better of the two. Same goes for Shadowrun Returns, Shadowrun: Dragonfall was far superior to the original release and I'd say was more deserving of mention, especially seeing as it's now standalone. Props for mentioning Temple of Elemental Evil and the Circle of Eight mod though, that game gets overlooked was too often in this sort of discussion.
Nitpicking and personal preferences aside though it's a solid list. If it were a top 10 I'd have thrown in Planescape: Torment and Arcanum, but can't have everything I guess.
Also I'd have included Baldur's Gate 2 in favor of the first game, just because it's generally agreed upon to be the better of the two. Same goes for Shadowrun Returns, Shadowrun: Dragonfall was far superior to the original release and I'd say was more deserving of mention, especially seeing as it's now standalone. Props for mentioning Temple of Elemental Evil and the Circle of Eight mod though, that game gets overlooked was too often in this sort of discussion.
Nitpicking and personal preferences aside though it's a solid list. If it were a top 10 I'd have thrown in Planescape: Torment and Arcanum, but can't have everything I guess.
All of the suggestions here are greatr ones, and it hurt me not to include Planescape: Torment in here, but I wanted to get a few of these other games in here. Plus, I had already used Torment on a list of games with great stories a couple of weeks ago.
Holy crap, I did not know Shadowrun: Dragonfall was standalone now. That's awesome.The Madman said:
Kinda weird not seeing Diablo here. Or any of the Disgaea games. But I guess the latter falls into strategy territory?
I agree. Seeing NWN in that list was a bit of a surprise since it's not isometric in the classic sense of the word. As a huge fan of NWN though, I'm always happy to see the game get some coverage (it's too often overlooked in these discussions) so it didn't bother me that much. But calling the original campaign amazing is stretching things past breaking point. The expansions' campaigns were certainly better, but I personally think they still paled in comparison to some of the custom adventures built by the community.The Madman said:
Planescape: Torment has the worst gameplay of any of these games on the list, so that might have something to do with it. Still, the story, characters, and atmosphere are still among the best ever, without exaggerating. I would have liked to see it on the list. It should have taken NWN's place, tbh. Not to say NWN is bad; I love the shit out of it, but it's not isometric and should therefore be disqualified.Knight Captain Kerr said:
I usually drop into these with a sure favourite in mind, and despair when it's is not there. (Usually due to my limited experience of a subject)
But you were 1 step ahead of me. You included it.
Yay: Divinity: Original Sin!
But you were 1 step ahead of me. You included it.
Yay: Divinity: Original Sin!
Torment should qualify I think, but it's really the same as Icewind Dale or Bauldurs Gate in terms of "Isometric-ness". Maybe Black Isle should have just gotten it's own entry, nearly everything they made was classic RPG.Vigormortis said:
Also, Torchlight and Diablo are not usually classified as RPG's they are "action-rpgs". Might sound pedantic, but I tend to agree with the classification. I like both kinds of games quite a bit, but I don't think they are the same thing. I like my action RPG's to be "action-y" for sure, and less RPG.
Fallout 2: check
Baldur's Gate: check
Icewind Dale: check
Planescape Torment: ?
Arcanum of Steamworks and Magick Obscura: ?
My personal favorites would be Fallout 2 and Arcanum. Since one of them is included in the list I'm somewhat satisfied. ,)
Baldur's Gate: check
Icewind Dale: check
Planescape Torment: ?
Arcanum of Steamworks and Magick Obscura: ?
My personal favorites would be Fallout 2 and Arcanum. Since one of them is included in the list I'm somewhat satisfied. ,)